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Biology of reproduction2004; 72(3); 755-761; doi: 10.1095/biolreprod.104.036384

Changes in vascular perfusion of the endometrium in association with changes in location of the embryonic vesicle in mares.

Abstract: The equine embryonic vesicle is mobile on Days 12-14 (Day 0 = ovulation), when it is approximately 9-15 mm in diameter. Movement from one uterine horn to another occurs, on average, approximately 0.5 times per hour. Mobility ceases (fixation) on Days 15-17. Transrectal color Doppler ultrasonography was used to study the relationship of embryo mobility (experiment 1) and fixation (experiment 2) to endometrial vascular perfusion. In experiment 1, mares were bred and examined daily from Day 1 to Day 16 and were assigned, retrospectively, to a group in which an embryo was detected (pregnant mares; n = 16) or not detected (n = 8) by Day 12. Endometrial vascularity (scored 1-4, for none to maximal, respectively) did not differ on Days 1-8 between groups or between the sides with and without the corpus luteum. Endometrial vascularity scores were higher (P < 0.05) on Days 12-16 in both horns of pregnant mares compared to mares with no embryo. In pregnant mares, the scores increased (P < 0.05) between Day 10 and Day 12 in the horn with the embryo and were higher (P < 0.05) than scores in the opposite horn on Days 12-15. In experiment 2, 14 pregnant mares were examined from Day 13 to 6 days after fixation. Endometrial vascularity scores and number of colored pixels per cross-section of endometrium were greater (P < 0.05) in the endometrium surrounding the fixed vesicle than in the middle portion of the horn of fixation. Results supported the hypothesis that transient changes in endometrial vascular perfusion accompany the embryonic vesicle as the vesicle changes location during embryo mobility.
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Publication Date: 2004-12-01 PubMed ID: 15576822DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod.104.036384Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research investigates the changes in blood flow to the endometrium (lining of the uterus) in correlation with the movement and fixation of the equine embryonic vesicle (small, fertilized embryo in horses). The study discovered that increased blood flow in the uterus accompanies the changing location of the embryonic vesicle during its mobility phase.

Methodology

  • The embryonic vesicle in horses is highly mobile between the 12th and 14th day post-ovulation, moving approximately 0.5 times an hour between the two uterine horns. The vesicle becomes fixed between the 15th and 17th day.
  • The study was carried out in two parts. Experiment 1 focused on embryo mobility and experiment 2 on embryo fixation.
  • In the first experiment, mares were bred and evaluated daily from Day 1 to Day 16. These were split into two groups: one group where the embryo was detected by Day 12 (pregnant mares), and another group where an embryo wasn’t detected.
  • In the second experiment, 14 pregnant mares were monitored from Day 13 to six days post-fixation.

Findings

  • Through the use of transrectal color Doppler ultrasonography, the researchers were able to track the endometrial vascular perfusion, or blood flow to the uterus, in relation to the presence and movement of the embryonic vesicle.
  • The study found no significant differences in endometrial vascularity (measured on a scale from 1 for none, to 4 for maximal) between the two groups or between the sides of the uterus with and without the corpus luteum during days 1-8.
  • However, on days 12-16, endometrial vascularity scores were noticeably higher in both uterine horns of the pregnant mares compared with the mares without an embryo.
  • In the pregnant mares, an increase in vascularity scores was noted between Day 10 and Day 12 in the horn containing the embryo. The scores were also higher in this horn compared to the opposite one from Days 12-15.
  • In the second experiment, endometrial vascularity scores and the number of colored pixels per cross-section of the endometrium were found to be higher in the endometrium region surrounding the fixed vesicle than in the middle part of the horn where the vesicle was fixed.

Conclusion

  • The results of this study support the hypothesis of a relation between the movement of the embryo and the transient changes in endometrial blood flow in the mare. This suggests that there is an increased blood supply to the part of the uterus housing the moving or fixed embryo, likely playing a role in supporting embryo growth and development.

Cite This Article

APA
Silva LA, Gastal EL, Beg MA, Ginther OJ. (2004). Changes in vascular perfusion of the endometrium in association with changes in location of the embryonic vesicle in mares. Biol Reprod, 72(3), 755-761. https://doi.org/10.1095/biolreprod.104.036384

Publication

Biology of reproduction
ISSN: 0006-3363
NlmUniqueID: 0207224
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 72
Issue: 3
Pages: 755-761

Researcher Affiliations

Silva, L A
  • Eutheria Foundation, Cross Plains, Wisconsin 53528, USA.
Gastal, E L
    Beg, M A
      Ginther, O J

        MeSH Terms

        • Animals
        • Embryo Implantation / physiology
        • Embryonic Development
        • Endometrium / blood supply
        • Endometrium / diagnostic imaging
        • Endometrium / physiology
        • Female
        • Horses / embryology
        • Horses / physiology
        • Muscle Contraction / physiology
        • Pregnancy
        • Pregnancy, Animal / physiology
        • Regional Blood Flow
        • Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color

        Citations

        This article has been cited 13 times.
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          doi: 10.1530/REP-20-0437pubmed: 33957605google scholar: lookup
        5. Ratto MH, Urra F, Silva M. Laterality of Ovulation and Presence of the Embryo Do Not Affect Uterine Horn Blood Flow During the First Month of Gestation in Llamas. Front Vet Sci 2020;7:598117.
          doi: 10.3389/fvets.2020.598117pubmed: 33335920google scholar: lookup
        6. Zampini EG, Gallelli MF, Chaves MG, Neild DM, Gambarotta M, Miragaya MH, Trasorras VL. Uterine and Corpus Luteum Blood Flow Evaluation Prior to Uterine Flushing in Llama Embryo Donors. Front Vet Sci 2020;7:597960.
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        7. Alonso MA, Silva LA, Affonso FJ, Lemes KM, Celeghini ECC, Lançoni R, Carvalho HF, de Arruda RP. Effect of hCG application at different moments of the estrous cycle on corpus luteum and uterine vascularization and serum progesterone concentration in mares. Anim Reprod 2019 Oct 24;16(2):317-327.
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        9. Lasheen ME, Badr HM, Kandiel MMM, Abo El-Maaty AM, Samir H, Farouk M, Eldawy MH. Predicting early pregnancy in Egyptian buffalo cows via measuring uterine and luteal blood flows, and serum and saliva progesterone. Trop Anim Health Prod 2018 Jan;50(1):137-142.
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        10. Lakhanpal D, Mohanty TK, Bhakat M, Arunkumar R, Nain D, Baithalu R. Testicular thermoregulation and blood perfusion score as markers of sperm quality in summer-stressed breeding bulls. Trop Anim Health Prod 2025 Sep 30;57(8):419.
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          doi: 10.3390/ani14131882pubmed: 38997994google scholar: lookup
        13. de Castro T, van Heule M, Domingues RR, Jacob JCF, Daels PF, Meyers SA, Conley AJ, Dini P. Embryo-endometrial interaction associated with the location of the embryo during the mobility phase in mares. Sci Rep 2024 Feb 7;14(1):3151.
          doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-53578-zpubmed: 38326534google scholar: lookup
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